Chapter One: The Tomorrow They Rejected

Tang entered the edit suite in a spotless white shirt, followed by half the project team. “Client call at ten. Zhixia handles strategy, I handle creative. Chen, you operate playback and keep quiet.” Strategy Director Xu Zhixia paused when she saw Chen's pale face. “Were you here all night?” “I'm fine.” “That wasn't my question.” Tang tapped the desk. “This is not the time for employee welfare.” At ten, six Obsidian executives appeared on the conference display. Vice President Gu Wei sat in the center wearing a gray suit. Beside him was a blue folder. Chen's fingers went rigid over the keyboard. Seven minutes into the call, an assistant clipped the edge of Gu's desk. A red coffee cup overturned.